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A review by syinhui
Curse of the Mistwraith by Janny Wurts
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.25
It’s hard to put into words how I feel about this book. I adore it, but at the same time, I’m deeply saddened by it. The fates of Arithon and Lysaer and the utter injustice of it all left me feeling bitter and heartbroken.
That said, the prologue already hints at a tragic tale of two brothers and the grueling and protracted war between them. This is a story about a world at the mercy of prophecies. At the center are two princes, exiled back to their original homeland. Clairvoyance provides little succor and brings nothing but sorrow and grief. Those who maintain the balance of the world are forced to make unsavory choices, all to latch onto that one thread of hope. And lastly, a curse so clever in its insidiousness that I am in awe.
Deshthiere’s curse upon Arithon and Lysaer is both terrible and perfect. It turns the two powers that defeated and imprisoned it against each other—Light and Shadow—each seeking the other’s annihilation. It’s honestly too sweet of a vengeance!
The heavy prose is challenging, and the writing style took some time to get used to. I constantly find myself rereading passages just to understand what’s being implied. It would be a shame not to, since Janny Wurts' prose is gorgeous, rich, and distinct. I know I would miss out on a lot if I kept letting the words go over my head.
The way she describes a character’s psyche and internal turmoil is unmatched. Arithon, I think, has the potential to become one of the greatest fantasy characters on my list. He has so much depth and so much capacity for empathy—albeit a forced trait in the s’Ffalenn lineage—that ultimately goes against his heart's desires and the hard exterior he has mustered for himself. The last two chapters were momentous, and Arithon’s actions in the battle at Strakewood Forest cemented my respect for his character. Lysaer, on the other hand, is also a sad case. He’s someone I’ve grown to dislike, and I feel bad about it because he has no control over what he’s become.
The Curse of the Mistwraith is not an easy read, not something you can breeze through. It requires the readers patience and full attention. I’d say this is an even harder read for me than when I started reading Gardens of the Moon. Not because of any convoluted plot, the challenge comes from the prose and pacing. Still glad to have discovered this series through my cravings for another epic fantasy similar to Malazan. Though they differ in vibe, the vastness of scope is there and the book doesn’t shy away from the horrors of war. Overall, a worthy and rewarding read!
That said, the prologue already hints at a tragic tale of two brothers and the grueling and protracted war between them. This is a story about a world at the mercy of prophecies. At the center are two princes, exiled back to their original homeland. Clairvoyance provides little succor and brings nothing but sorrow and grief. Those who maintain the balance of the world are forced to make unsavory choices, all to latch onto that one thread of hope. And lastly, a curse so clever in its insidiousness that I am in awe.
The heavy prose is challenging, and the writing style took some time to get used to. I constantly find myself rereading passages just to understand what’s being implied. It would be a shame not to, since Janny Wurts' prose is gorgeous, rich, and distinct. I know I would miss out on a lot if I kept letting the words go over my head.
The way she describes a character’s psyche and internal turmoil is unmatched. Arithon, I think, has the potential to become one of the greatest fantasy characters on my list. He has so much depth and so much capacity for empathy—albeit a forced trait in the s’Ffalenn lineage—that ultimately goes against his heart's desires and the hard exterior he has mustered for himself. The last two chapters were momentous, and Arithon’s actions in the battle at Strakewood Forest cemented my respect for his character. Lysaer, on the other hand, is also a sad case. He’s someone I’ve grown to dislike, and I feel bad about it because he has no control over what he’s become.
The Curse of the Mistwraith is not an easy read, not something you can breeze through. It requires the readers patience and full attention. I’d say this is an even harder read for me than when I started reading Gardens of the Moon. Not because of any convoluted plot, the challenge comes from the prose and pacing. Still glad to have discovered this series through my cravings for another epic fantasy similar to Malazan. Though they differ in vibe, the vastness of scope is there and the book doesn’t shy away from the horrors of war. Overall, a worthy and rewarding read!